The Centennial redevelopment of 925 Euclid Ave. is project that has not seen much visible activity lately. But it suddenly has some by winning $10 million in Brownfield funding through the Cuyahoga Land Bank. It was one of 34 such projects to win funding (KJP). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Rockefeller, Erieview, Rhodes Tower also win
Without any visible activity in nearly two years, rumors circulated throughout Cleveland’s development community that the roughly $500 million Centennial redevelopment, 925 Euclid Ave. in Downtown Cleveland was dead. Similar rumors circulated about the fate of the Rockefeller Building, 614 W. Superior Ave., and renovations to Rhodes Tower, 2124 Chester Ave., one of the projects in Cleveland State University quieted development master plan.
But those were among the biggest winners in a new round of 12 Brownfield remediation grants totaling $40.4 million in Cuyahoga County from the Ohio Department of Department, to be administered locally by the Cuyahoga Land Bank, according to a list provided to NEOtrans by the land bank, known formally as the nonprofit Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corp.
“We are grateful to the state of Ohio for their support as we continue our work in brownfield remediation and the development that can stem from it,” said Ricardo León, Cuyahoga Land Bank president & CEO in a written statement. “The funds awarded for these projects will undoubtedly create valuable economic impact across our county that will improve our communities for years to come.”
Cuyahoga County won nearly one-half of all funding granted today. Total Brownfield funding statewide amounted to $82.1 million for 65 cleanup/remediation projects and $4 million for 16 assessment projects. Since the launch of the program, the Ohio Department of Development has awarded $636 million to support 626 projects in 86 counties.
“Receiving funding for brownfield remediation is a game-changer for our community,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “These funds allow us to transform underutilized and contaminated properties into opportunities for growth. We are grateful for the state’s support and look forward to working with the Cuyahoga Land Bank to revitalize neighborhoods across the County.”
After a long delay, things are starting to move again toward redeveloping the historic Rockefeller Building in Downtown Cleveland. New developers are involved and are seeking a new plan to convert the vacant office building into mixed use (KJP).
The largest new award, $10 million, went to The Centennial, a project by the Millennia Companies to repurpose a mammoth, 1924-built office building and grand bank lobby into a mixed-use complex. The property was also submitted as a candidate for Cuyahoga County’s proposed new Consolidated Courthouse development but some real estate insiders have considered that a longshot. Today’s award was granted for the mixed-use redevelopment.
“This project involves asbestos removal, lead-based paint remediation, and soil gas mitigation at the historic Centennial Building in downtown Cleveland,” said an Ohio Department of Development spokesperson. “Plans include adaptive reuse of the 1.4 million-square-foot property into workforce housing, offices, and retail spaces. The project will create 350 permanent jobs and support more than 3,200 construction jobs​​.”
This was the most recent award of public funding to the Centennial project since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) loaned the project $15 million in January 2023. But after that, the Millennia Companies ran afoul of HUD for 19 troubled HUD-subsidized apartment properties elsewhere. There is also an apparent ongoing HUD investigation underway of Millennia and one or more of its executives.
On the other side of Downtown Cleveland, the historic Rockefeller Building won $7,325,218 for site clean-up and remediation. The project is reportedly under a purchase agreement with a new, unidentified owner that, similar to the previous plan, seeks to repurpose the former office building. Unfortunately, the current owner apparently did not secure the vacant building until recently, allowing vagrants to enter, steal furnishings and cause other damage.
Cleveland State University’s Rhodes Tower, one of the tallest educational buildings in the country, will be renovated and repurposed with student housing and other uses for the downtown institution (CSU).
“This project involves asbestos abatement, interior demolition, and environmental cleanup of the historic Rockefeller Building in downtown Cleveland,” a project summary from the state noted. “The 17-story structure, originally built in 1905 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will be redeveloped into a mixed-use building with residential apartments, office spaces and commercial areas.”
Also quiet in recent months has been anything proposed in Cleveland State University’s (CSU) development masterplan. This, despite the declining condition of the 1971-built, 21-story Rhodes Tower — especially its precast concrete exterior which is subject to moisture infiltration. the fourth-tallest educational-purposed building in the USA at 363 feet is partially vacant.
This project, which was included in CSU’s masterplan, was awarded $6,634,890 for asbestos abatement and selective demolition. State officials said the remediation will eliminate health hazards, enabling a $150 million renovation to create a vibrant hub for student engagement, housing, and university resources.
One downtown project that hasn’t languished in recent months is Erieview Tower, 1301 E. 9th St. A $78.2 million redevelopment will convert the 60-year-old office building into 227 Marriott-branded luxury apartments, with shared amenities and space on two additional floors. Some work on site is already getting underway.
Erieview Tower and its glassy Galleria are the subject of an Ohio Brownfields Program grant to clean up the site prior to redevelopment with apartments, restaurants and supportive uses (Google).
More can happen now that the project has won $5,137,448 in Brownfield funds today. This funding will pay for asbestos removal, interior demolition and environmental remediation of the Erieview Tower and attached Galleria. At full build-out, the redevelopment will create a mixed-use property featuring residential apartments, hotel rooms, office spaces, and retail venues.
“This iconic 40-story tower is a critical component of Clevelandʼs downtown revitalization efforts,” an Ohio Department of Development spokesman said.
Another big winner was the Nicky Boulevard Landfill Redevelopment in Cuyahoga Heights. This project got $4,211,880 for soil remediation, leachate system improvements and site grading at the former landfill in the 4500 block of Nicky Boulevard. The project will prepare 10 acres for industrial and commercial redevelopment, addressing environmental concerns and creating opportunities for economic growth in this inner-ring suburb.
Winning $1.9 million in Brownfield funds was the planned Empire Senior Housing redevelopment, 9113 Parmalee Ave. in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood. This project involves asbestos abatement, lead paint remediation and selective demolition of the historic Empire Junior High School. Once completed, the site will be redeveloped into 63 affordable senior apartments, preserving the historic building while addressing a local housing need.
Redevelopment of Empire Junior High School in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood got a $1.9 million boost from the state for site clean up and selective demolition work prior to its repurposing into 63 affordable senior apartments (Google).
A $40 million commercial redevelopment of Chagrin Highlands Business Park in the vicinity of Green and Harvard roads in Highland Hills was awarded $1,792,027. This project involves remediating asbestos in two abandoned structures and preparing 13.4 acres for the planned redevelopment. The revitalization aims to create institutional-grade commercial spaces supporting hundreds of new jobs, enhancing economic opportunities in Highland Hills.
The historic Alcazar Hotel, 2450 Derbyshire Rd. in suburban Cleveland Heights, won $1,085,069 for asbestos abatement, floor mastic removal and plaster cleanup. The $16.25 million redevelopment into 125 apartments includes upgraded ADA access, sustainable systems, and revitalized commercial spaces while preserving the building’s historic charm. This project won $2 million in historic tax credits last summer.
A project to redevelop a 98-year-old warehouse that contained the Lighthouse Artspace Cleveland, 850 E. 72nd St. in Glenville, received $801,837. Funds will support the removal of an underground storage tank, asbestos-containing windows and mitigation of historical monitoring wells.
Remediation will prepare the site for redevelopment, enabling industrial or office use in a newly emerging arts quarter. Work could and support 100 new jobs and 15 retained positions. Improvements will include updated windows, LED lighting, and structural enhancements.
The Alcazar Hotel in Cleveland Heights will be renovated into 125 apartments thanks in part to a grant of just over $1 million from the Ohio Brownfield Program for site cleanup (Wikicommons).
A site assessment of the former Ben’s Auto Body Shop, 8514 Carnegie Ave. in Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood, was awarded $582,423 in Brownfield funds. This project involves the demolition of obsolete and unsafe structures, permanent closure of underground storage tanks, and updated environmental surveys. This will prepare the site for future redevelopment across the street from the former Cleveland Play House.
Redevelopment of the former Brookview Elementary School property, 14105 Snow Rd. in suburban Brook Park, into housing will be aided by a $553,642 award. Funding will abate asbestos, demolish the school and clean up the site, to be redeveloped with a 96-unit multifamily housing complex with supporting infrastructure improvements.
“The project will address the city’s increasing demand for residential space while eliminating environmental and structural hazards,” the state spokesman said.
Repurposing the former Case Elementary School, 4050 Superior Ave. in Cleveland’s St. Clair-Superior neighborhood, as the New Bridge Professional Center got $400,012 for asbestos abatement and structural improvements. New Bridge is a nonprofit organization that is overseeing the project.
Plans include converting the 66,000-square-foot vacant school built in the 1970s into a commercial center with healthcare-related services, sustainable building features, and ADA compliance. The redevelopment will create 20 jobs and provide critical testing and services for the local community.
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